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For an audience, the level of thought, detail and coordination that goes into a theatre production may sometimes be underappreciated. From casting, costuming, designing and building a set to stage lighting and, of course, the weeks of rehearsals, having a great team helps the whole process flow more easily and ensures a tighter, better, more entertaining performance. 

And that’s the expectation for the upcoming winter musical, , directed and choreographed by Granada Artist-in-Residence .

“For me, it's more about the act of sharing art that is meaningful to us and why it’s meaningful to us,” Guter said. “That's something that's really unique and special about theatre, is that you experience theatre with other people — it’s a shared experience and it's actually necessary to the experience.” 

Over the course of the musical, the audience learns why "the Man in the Chair" is sharing this recording with them, often breaking the fourth wall and even interacting with his imagined characters: two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a scatterbrained hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, an egotistical Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone.

A scene from 'The Drowsy Chaperone.' (Carol Kepler/UC Davis)

Director, choreographer known for national role in 'Annie'

The department’s search for the right director for the musical comedy was still ongoing when longtime arts marketer French, always the problem-solver, suggested Guter for the role. Though they had never worked directly together, French knew Guter and knew he was the right fit. French had just recently seen the award-winning actor and director a few months prior in Folsom, playing the role of “Rooster” in a touring production of Annie. 

Guter portrayed the role opposite Whoopi Goldberg at Madison Square Garden, eliciting praise from critics and , which noted he was “oozing with charm” and described him as “a terrific dancer.”

As a director, Guter has created groundbreaking theatrical experiences across multiple venues and formats, including co-created with composer Adam Record. His directing portfolio includes the critically acclaimed Hadestown Teen Edition, I Left My Dignity in My Other Purse starring (Three’s Company), and the immersive musical Take Me Away. His extensive choreography credits include West Side Story, Cabaret, The Music Man, Anything Goes, and Peter and the Starcatcher at the Tony Award-winning .

In October, after Guter was selected as the director and winter 2026 Granada-Artist-in-Residence, he flew out from Cedar City, Utah, to Davis for 10 days to teach a workshop to students and hold auditions for The Drowsy Chaperone. 

Michael French is 'the Man in the Chair'

As Guter put it, French is “the Man in the Chair.” He wasn’t the only one to have this opinion. Even before Guter was hired, the stage manager and production manager both said the same, and Department Chair agreed. 

Though Guter and French have known each other since 2011, Guter didn’t accept the role with the intent of casting French. He was initially looking cast a student, but he knew it would be a challenge when conveying the generational divide.   

French happens to be five decades older than the rest of the cast but, Guter said, he shares other commonalities with the character.

“Michael is ‘the Man in the Chair’ in many ways — there's a deep love and appreciation for theatre that he loves to share and talk about,” he said. 

French, who has also worked as a theatre publicist, is known for his passion for both education and the arts. He is an in the �������ý of Letters and Science at UC Davis, and is always working to help make sure student work is seen and appreciated by as many people as possible.

The role marks French’s return to the stage after more than 40 years. The acting credits from his former life include Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes, Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Brinsley Miller in Black Comedy. He has also directed productions of Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Crimes of the Heart, and Bad Habits.

Michael French during a recent rehearsal of UC Davis' winter production of 'The Drowsy Chaperone.' (Carol Kepler/UC Davis)

Collaboration across teams brings success

The cast and crew have been through six weeks of rehearsals, staying late nearly every weeknight and spending their Saturdays with Guter. The musical is accompanied by a live orchestra and it, along with the cast, includes undergraduate and graduate students from across disciplines.

“They're all really terrific and committed to it and my biggest challenge is keeping up with them,” French said.

is the production manager, lecturer Ian Wallace is the scenery designer, Assistant Professor Ethan Hollinger is the lighting designer, Megan Kimura is the sound designer and Patrick Burns is the music director. Mario Sandoval is the stage manager and the assistant choreographer is Mikayla Freeman, both undergraduate students. Alum , M.F.A. ‘20, has returned to UC Davis as the production’s costume designer.

“There's a great attention to detail. The collaboration with all of the other teams has been really awesome,” Guter said. “The creative problem-solving across everyone and the communication — I've been super, super impressed.” 

A recent rehearsal of UC Davis' production of "The Drowsy Chaperone." (Carol Kepler/UC Davis)

A musical comedy with a bit of an edge

If that isn’t enough to convince you to see it, French said: “There is one costume in the show that will blow everybody's mind right out. It's spectacular.”